Optical fiber cable connector

ABSTRACT

A delivery system extends from a laser radiation source for connecting to a medical device that utilizes the laser radiation for medical treatment. The delivery system comprises an optical fiber connecting to a male launch connecter. The male launch connector having a body portion with the optical fiber fixed or constrained therein and the optical fiber terminating at a male ferrule with a forward directed fiber facet, the male ferrule may be cantilevered within the body portion by the optical fiber line providing freedom of movement of the male ferrule. The launch connector engages a receiving connector on the medical device first with mechanical connection portions and then more finely aligning optical connection portions by the male ferrule self aligning in a female ferrule with cooperating tapered surfaces. The male portion may fully seat in the female portion with cooperating cylindrical surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/476,961, filed Mar. 31, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/428,269, filed Nov. 30, 2016 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/317,296, filed Apr. 1, 2016, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laser-based medical devices use laser radiation for medical treatments.The laser radiation type, power, and parameters vary depending upon thetreatment. A laser source connects to a medical device using a deliverysystem having an optical fiber and an optical connector that couples toan interface of a medical device. The delivery system could be singleuse or reusable depending on the medical treatment and regulations.

The optical connector is a critical component the delivery system.Generally the size of optical fiber connectors have decreased over timedue to the desirability of a higher density of connectors ontelecommunications equipment; that is, more connectors per square inchof equipment space. Typical connectors for medical purposes compriseslightly modified optical connectors developed for telecommunicationdevices use, such as SMA-905 or SMA-906 modified connectors with aforward projecting ferrule with an exposed fiber facet. Such connectorsare of small size and the mating components are also small,specifically, the ferrule securing the optical fiber and the cooperatingfemale component. The small size of the graspable portion requiresdelicate manipulations to make the optical fiber connection to themedical device. The small sized connectors are not conducive to handlingwith gloves, nor making a quick connection. Also, it is easy tocontaminate or damage the input fiber facet during mating with medicaldevice as the facet is exposed and defines the furthermost portion ofthe connector. Any issue associated with the integrity of the connectionbetween the laser source and medical device can impact the performanceof the medical device and potentially the medical procedure.

Thus, improvements in connector design (both parts, at laser deviceoutput and at the input of delivery system) that are ergonomicallyadvanced (including handling with gloves), safer, easier to mate, morerobust, and less prone to damage or contamination of the fiber facet,more economical to manufacture and use, would be well received by themedical industry. Moreover, a means for confirming the integrity of theconnection would be advantageous. Additionally, improvements inaffordability would be well received.

SUMMARY

A delivery system extending from a laser radiation source for connectingto a medical device that utilizes the laser radiation for medicaltreatment. The delivery system comprises an optical cable with anoptical fiber extending from the laser source with a male launchconnecter having a male ferrule on the optical cable. The launchconnector couples to a receiving connector having a female ferrule thatinterfaces with the male ferrule on the medical device. The male launchconnector having a body portion with an outer tubular portion projectingforward with an outermost or forwardmost edge and having a central axialrecess defined therein. The optical fiber terminating at the maleferrule positioned in the central recess rearward of the forwardmostedge and presenting a forward facing fiber facet. In embodiments, theoptical fiber fixed with respect to the body portion of the connector atan anchor point on the optical fiber rearwardly of the ferrule such thata dangling or cantilevered portion of the optical cable or fibersupports the ferrule. In embodiments the optical cable or fiber is theexclusive support of the male ferrule before the launch connector isconnected to the receiving connector. The ferrule having freedom ofmovement provided by the flexibility of the optical cable forward of theanchor position. The ferrule may be constrained laterally by structurewithin or part of the body portion such as a tubular portion of the bodyportion thereby limiting the lateral freedom of movement. Such structureproviding a circumferential gap around the ferrule for the entire lengthof the ferrule when the ferrule is axially centered within the tubularportion. In embodiments a resilient material may be attached to therearward end portion of the male ferrule for controlling the radial orlateral freedom of movement that does provide some resistance to lateralmovement beyond that provided by the optical fiber or cable.

In embodiments, the ferrule having registration surfaces such as anouter cylindrical surface that registers with a cooperating inwardlyfacing cylindrical surface on the female ferrule of the receivingconnector without the female ferrule having an axial stop for the maleferrule in the optical registration receiver. The inventors haverecognized that the criticality of the axial placement, that is, theforward rearwardly axial position of the male ferrule with respect tothe female ferrule is substantially less that the criticality of thecentration alignment, that is, the radial and axial alignment of theferrule. Conventional optical fiber connector art rely upon axial stopsurfaces that are part of the ferrule or rigidly and directly connectedto the ferrule. Embodiments herein provide suspension of the ferrule inthe male connector only by the optical cable or fiber rearward of theferrule and a seating interface with the optical registration component,such as a female ferrule, in a cylindrical interface with no axial stopsurfaces on the ferrule or directly fixed with respect to the ferrule.The forward-backward axial position of the ferrule is controlled by theoptical cable or fiber extending rearward from the ferrule that isattached directly or indirectly to the connector body. Such anarrangement provides an economical, simple, and reliable connectionconfiguration with the needed centration, that is, precise radial andaxial alignment, and sufficient axial forward-rearward positionalplacement.

In embodiments of the invention, the optical fiber rearwardly of theferrule is fixed to an elastomeric support member providing axialcushioning and or resilience when the ferrule engages with a portion ofthe connector of the medical device. In embodiments, the forward face ofthe male ferrule, for example a chamfer surface has a tapered tocooperate with a like shaped concave recess in the female ferrule of thereceiving connector of the medical device. The fixation of the opticalfiber with respect to the launch connector body may be in resilientelastomeric disks defining diaphragms.

In embodiments of the invention, the ferrule is slidingly received in abore of an optical registration receiver, the optical registrationreceiver may have a tapered concave lead-in registration surface and acylindrical registration surface, the male ferrule having a cooperatingconvex outer tapered surface and a cylindrical registration surface toclosely engage the cylindrical registration surface of the opticalregistration receiver.

In embodiments of the invention, the outer tubular portion of the launchconnector engages with a mechanical registration receiver of thereceiving coupling attached to, for example, the medical device. r, theleading edge of the tubular outer portion and/or the outermost edge ofthe mechanical registration receiver may be tapered to provide aninsertion tolerance.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is an opticalfiber connector with graspable body portion and having a single fiberthat has an internal floating ferrule and a graspable handle of anenlarged sized, in embodiments the diameter of a central lengthwiseportion of the graspable portion is from 5 to 20 mm. In embodiments thediameter of a central lengthwise portion of the graspable portion isfrom 8 to 16 mm.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is an opticalfiber launch connector with a single fiber that has an internal movableferrule fixed only to the single optical fiber and optionally to sheathson the fiber. The ferrule positionally constrained by but notpositionally fixed by being partially positioned in the bore of an innertubular portion of the launch connector.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is a opticalfiber coupling with cooperating connectors, one connector being a launchconnector with a ferrule supporting an optical fiber with a fiber facet,the other connector receiving the one connector and having an opticalregistration receiver that receives the ferrule. Each connector havingthe optical connecting portion of the connector recessed from theexterior of the connector.

In embodiments, a cooperating pair of optical fiber connectors forconnecting a laser source to a medical device for delivery of laserenergy, each connector having an outer mechanical coupling portion andan inner optical coupling portion, each of the outer mechanical couplingportions configured as an outer tubular portion with a forward edge,each outer tubular portion having a tubular wall and defining respectiveaxial recesses, the optical coupling portions concentrically positionedwithin the axial recesses and spaced from the tubular walls, the opticalcoupling portions inset from the respective forward edges. Inembodiments, one connector provides an optical cable with a opticalfiber connecting to a ferrule and presenting a fiber facet. The ferrulehaving a central position, the ferrule received within a female portionof an optical registration receiver. In embodiments, one of the tubularmechanical coupling portions interlaced between the tubular mechanicalcoupling portion of the other coupling and the optical coupling portionof the other coupling. The tubular mechanical coupling portionsslidingly engaged with one another. In embodiments the connectorsupplying the laser energy to the medical device, a launch connector,has its outer tubular portion extending within the outer tubular portionof the connector associated with the medical device. In embodiments, asthe connectors are manually manipulated, the outer mechanical couplingsengage first and bring the connectors into an axial alignment as theouter mechanical couplings are slidingly engaged and brought together,the connectors become axially aligned before the optical couplingportions engage each other. The optical coupling portions then areprealigned and as the optical coupling portions engage with taperedsurfaces on one or both optical coupling portion, the optical couplingsare brought into final operational alignment. In embodiments one opticalcoupling portion is laterally movable with respect to its respectivemechanical coupling portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a delivery system with a launchconnector disconnected from a connector on a medical device in accordwith inventions herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coupling for a laser radiationdelivery system connected to a medical device in accord with embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 2 in a partialmechanical coupling in accord with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross sectional view of FIG. 3 showing themechanical coupling and optical coupling with a frustoconicalregistration of the ferrule and optical registration receiver opticalcoupling in accord with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a couplingillustrating mechanical connection portions and optical connection in apre-connection condition.

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 5A with acylindrical registration of a male ferrule and the female ferrule inaccord with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a coupling with cylindricalregistration and a conical registration of a male ferrule and with astop surface in the optical registration receiver.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment with the outer mechanical connectionportion of the launch connector exterior to the mechanical connectionportion of the medical device mechanical connection portion.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of coupling according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a delivery system 20 comprises a opticalfiber cable 22 and a launch connector 24. The launch connector 24 and aconnector 28 on a medical device 30 defining an optical fiber coupling32 for providing laser radiation to the medical device 30 from the laserradiation source 34.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, each of the connectors 24, 28 have a mechanicalconnection portion 36, 38 and respective optical connection portion 40,42 configures as a male ferrule and a female ferrule respectively. Thelaunch connector 24 has a body portion 48 that extends from a forward orproximal end 52 to a rearward or distal end 54 of the connector 24. Astrain relief tail portion 56 provides transitional support to theoptical fiber cable as it exits the connector. The optical fiber cableextends axially along a central axis 58 in apertures 60 of the bodyportion such that the cable may be spaced from inward surfaces 62 of thebody portion. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the optical fibercable is supported by a compliant fiber supports 64, 66. The compliantfiber supports may be disc shaped with the fiber fixed to the center 70of the discs 64, 66, such as by adhesive and with the disc supported atits peripheral portion 72 by the body portion 48. The compliant fibersupports 64, 66 may provide axial displacement capability and cushioningof the optical connection portion 40 with respect to the body portion ofthe launch connector 24.

The mechanical connection portion of the launch connector is amechanical registration guide configured as a tubular end portion 36.

The optical connection portion 40 of the launch connector 24 comprises aferrule 78 with an optical fiber 80 fixed in a axial bore 81 thereinsuch as by adhesive 82. The optical fiber may have two or moresheathings 86, 88 covering the fiber rearward of the ferrule 78. Theferrule 78 may have a frustoconical portion 90 with a tapered surface 92at its forward end 94 and rearward of the tapered surface have acylindrical surface 96. The ferrule may be formed of conventionalmaterials such as glass, bronze, other metals, and ceramic materials.

The launch connector 24 has a graspable portion 100 for manualmanipulation of the connector. The graspable portion may have a bulbousportion 102, a recessed portion 104, and a forward lip 106, allfacilitating handling of the connector, particularly in a medicalsetting where users may be wearing gloves and ready and quick access andcontrol of the connector is advantageous. The diameter d of thegraspable portion may be from 5 to 20 mm in embodiments. In otherembodiments the diameter of the graspable portion may be from 8 to 16mm. The graspable portion 100 may be unitary or integral with the bodyportion 48 of the launch connector 24 and may be formed of polymersincluding, for example, thermoplastic elastomers.

The medical device connector 28 has the optical coupling portion 42which couples with the optical connection portion 40 of the launchconnector. The optical connection portion comprises an opticalregistration receiver configured as a female ferrule 112 formed ofceramic material, glass, metal, or other conventional materials. Arecess 118 is defined by a reverse frustoconical surface 120 thatconforms to the tapered surface 92 of the launch connector opticalcoupling portion configured as a male ferrule 40. The female ferrule isfixed to a body portion 122 of the medical device connector and themedical device connector is attached to a wall 126 or other structure ofthe medical device. The body portion, or other structure of theconnector 28 provides a mechanical registration receiver 130 configuredas a tubular portion 38 that conforms to and snugly receives the tubularportion 36 of the launch connector.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling is made by the tubular portion36 of the launch connector 24 initially being partially inserted intothe mechanical connection portion 38 of the medical device connector 28,as shown in FIG. 3. The connectors are in an axial alignment, thisprovides a gross or prealignment of the optical connection portionsbefore they make contact or are engaged, that is, the connectors canonly move axially and rotationally with respect to one another. As shownin FIG. 4, when the optical coupling portions make contact the ferruleand optical registration receiver self-align by way of the conformingcooperating surfaces 92, 120 and the ferrule 78 and optical fiber 80 areslightly displaced rearwardly facilitated by the compliant members 64,66. When the launch connector is fully seated the optical connectionportions are fully engaged.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, another embodiment is illustrated withlaunch connector 224 and a medical device connector 228. The medicaldevice optical coupling portion, configured as a female ferrule 242, hasa tapered lead-in surface 220 and a cylindrical seating surface 222. Theoptical coupling portion 240 of the launch connector 224 comprises aferrule 278 with a cylindrical outer surface 296 and chamfered guide-insurface 300. The optical coupling portion further comprising an opticalfiber line 280 that is fixed to the body portion 248 such as by adhesive249. The optical fiber line 280 and ferrule may cantilever outwardlyfrom the body portion providing lateral movement capability of theferrule such that the optical connection portions may self-align whenthey initially engage. The optical fiber line includes an optical fiberand may include sheathing or other layers on the optical fiber. When theferrule 278 is finally seated in the female ferrule, the coupling iscomplete, there is no axially loading on the optical connection portionof the launch connector 224. There are no stop surfaces on the femaleferrule to axially position, forward-rearwardly, the male ferrule. Thefemale ferrule may have a throughhole 279 that and internal surface 280with a diameter D1 that converges from a first side 281 to a mid portion282 with a cylindrical surface 222, and then diverges to the second side284 resulting in an hour glass shape. The male ferrule 278 is separatedfrom an anchored position 288 by a distance D. In embodiments thisdistance is 4-15 mm, or thereabout. In embodiment distance D is 6 to 11mm. The male ferrule cantilevers forwardly by the optical fiber line andhas a gap 292, that is, space, between the outer surface of the maleferrule and the body portion of the connector.

Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the tubular portions of themechanical connection portion of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5Bfirst engage to provide a gross alignment of the optical connectionportions, then the optical portions engage, self align by movement ofthe male ferrule, and then fully engage with cylindrical surface seatingon cylindrical surface. The forward-rearward placement is not ascritical to coupling performance as the radial and axial alignment.

Means 63, schematically shown, for confirming complete coupling isprovided on the medical device and connecting to the laser source toprevent the laser for operating if the coupling is not fully coupled.Such can be by way of micro switches, 63.2, and other means known in theart. Such means may provide a lock-out of the laser radiation source.That is, unless the complete connection of the coupling is verified, thelaser light source is not allowed to generate the laser radiation.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment is illustrated with launchconnector 324 and a medical device connector 328. The medical deviceoptical coupling portion 342 has a tapered lead-in surface 320 and acylindrical seating surface 322 and a stop surface 324. The opticalcoupling portion 340 of the launch connector 324 comprises a ferrule 378with a cylindrical outer surface 396 and a tapered forward surface 400.The optical coupling portion further comprising an optical fiber 380that is compliantly attached to the body portion 348 through compliantmembers 364, 366. The optical fiber 380 and ferrule may cantileveroutwardly from the body portion providing lateral movement capability ofthe ferrule such that the optical connection portions may self-alignwhen they initially engage. Upon final seating of the ferrule in theoptical registration receiver the ferrule and optical fiber may beslightly displaced rearward facilitated by the compliant members.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment is illustrated with launchconnector 424 and a medical device connector 428. The medical deviceoptical coupling portion 442 has a tapered lead-in surface 420 and acylindrical seating surface 422. The optical coupling portion 440 of thelaunch connector 424 comprises a ferrule 478 with a cylindrical outersurface 496. The optical coupling portion further comprising an opticalfiber 480 that is fixed to the body portion 448. The optical fiber 480and ferrule may cantilever outwardly from the body portion providinglateral movement capability of the ferrule such that the opticalconnection portions may self-align when they initially engage. The bore490 of the body portion constrains laterally the ferrule allowing somelateral movement of the ferrule. Upon final seating of the ferrule inthe optical registration receiver 491 the ferrule and optical fiber arenot under axial loading. The mechanical connection portion 436 of thelaunch connector envelops the mechanical connection portion 438 of themedical device mechanical connection portion which is different than theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment is illustrated with a launchconnector 502 and a receiving connector 504. In this embodiment theoptical fiber line 510 has a optical fiber with multiple layers ofsheathing 512 removed in the connector. The male ferrule is a highprecision glass male ferrule 520 connecting to sleeve 538 that connectsto compliant material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, configured asa ring 542, provides slight compliance along all axis. The launchconnector has a strain relief boot 550 for the optical fiber line 510.The female ferrule 556 has a precision bore 558 that engages and alignsthe male ferrule 520 in centration and axial position. A ball detentmechanism 568 including a circumferential spring 571 engages with aexterior groove 569 in the tubular portion 570 of the body portion 572of the launch connector. A latch arm 580 pivots about the body portionof the receiving connector 504 to push out the launch connector.

The mechanical connection portions may be configured as bayonetconnections, screw on connections, press fit connections, or detentconnections.

The following U.S. patents are incorporated by reference for allpurposes: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,329,541; 5,907,650; 5,943,460; 6,238,103;7,503,701; 8,419,293; 8,888,378; 9,329,350; 9,393,081; 9,395,496; and9,429,713.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above referencesin all sections of this application are herein incorporated byreferences in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. An optical fiber connector coupling for connecting a laserradiation source to a device, the coupling comprising a launch connectorwith a mechanical connection portion and an optical connection portioncomprising a male ferrule with connected to an optical fiber, the maleferrule resiliently supported within a body portion of the launchconnector, the male ferrule having a cylindrical outer surface, thecoupling further comprising a receiving connector, the receiving portioncomprising a mechanical connection portion for cooperating with themechanical connection portion of the launch connector, and an opticalconnection portion comprising a female ferrule, the female ferrulehaving an internal cylindrical surface that slidingly engages thecylindrical outer surface of the male ferrule, the female ferrule nothaving a stop surface limiting the insertion distance of the maleferrule into the female ferrule, the male ferrule resiliently supportedwithin a body portion of the launch connector by an elastomeric materialpositioned rearwardly of the male ferrule.
 2. The optical fiberconnector coupling for connecting a laser radiation source to a deviceof claim 1, wherein the male ferrule has an optical fiber line extendingfrom the male ferrule to an anchor position in the body portion that isdisplaced from the ferrule a distance of about 4 to 15 mm, the maleferrule being supported within the body portion exclusively by theoptical fiber line, the optical fiber line comprising at least anoptical fiber.
 3. The optical fiber connector coupling of claim 1wherein a distance between the male ferrule and an anchor position ofthe optical fiber is 4 to 15 mm.
 4. The optical fiber connector couplingof claim 1, wherein when the coupling is in fully coupled condition, themale ferrule is engaged with the female ferrule only at a cylindricalinterface surface.
 5. The optical fiber connector coupling of claim 1,wherein the male ferrule is supported resiliently by the optical fiberand any coverings on the optical fiber when the launch connector is in apre-connection condition.
 6. The optical fiber connector coupling ofclaim 1 wherein the optical fiber is connected to the body portionthrough resilient material engaging the optical fiber.
 7. The opticalfiber connector coupling of claim 6, wherein the resilient material isconfigured as at least one web or disk shape member.
 8. The opticalfiber connector of claim 1 wherein the male ferrule is connected to thebody portion of the launch connector only by an optical fiber line, theoptical fiber line comprising the optical fiber and the resilientsupport of the male ferrule is provided by the resiliency of the fiberline to bending.
 9. The optical fiber connector of claim 8, wherein theoptical fiber line further comprises a sheath on the optical fiber. 10.An optical fiber connector coupling for connecting a laser radiationsource to a device, the coupling comprising a launch connector with amechanical connection portion and an optical connection portioncomprising a male ferrule with connected to an optical fiber, the maleferrule resiliently supported within a body portion of the launchconnector, the male ferrule having a cylindrical outer surface, thecoupling further comprising a receiving connector, the receiving portioncomprising a mechanical connection portion for cooperating with themechanical connection portion of the launch connector, and an opticalconnection portion comprising a female ferrule, the female ferrulehaving an internal cylindrical surface the slidingly engages thecylindrical outer surface of the male ferrule, the female ferrule nothaving a stop surface limiting the insertion distance of the maleferrule into the female ferrule.
 11. The optical fiber connectorcoupling for connecting a laser radiation source to a device of claim10, wherein the male ferrule has an optical fiber line extending fromthe male ferrule to an anchor position in the body portion that isdisplaced from the ferrule a distance of about 4 to 15 mm, the maleferrule being supported within the body portion exclusively by theoptical fiber line, the optical fiber line comprising at least anoptical fiber.
 11. The optical fiber connector coupling for connecting alaser radiation source to a device of claim 10, wherein the femaleferrule have a throughhole with an hour glass shape.
 12. The couplingfor connecting a laser radiation source to a medical device of claim 10,wherein the receiving connector comprises a sensor for detecting whenthe coupling is fully engaged.
 13. The coupling for connecting a laserradiation source to a medical device of claim 12, wherein the sensorcomprises an electrical switch that is actuated with the presence of atubular portion of the launch connector in a cooperating tubular portionof the receiving connector.
 14. A method of making a connection fortransmitting laser light from a laser light generator to a medicaldevice, an optical fiber extending from the laser light generator with alaunch connector attached thereto, the medical device having a receivingconnector for the launch connector, the launch connector having amechanical connection portion that interfaces with a mechanicalconnection portion of the receiving connector, the launch connectorportion having a optical connection portion with a cylindrical maleferrule that interfaces with an optical connection portion having afemale ferrule of the receiving connector, the method comprising:confronting the receiving connector with the launch connector; engagethe respective mechanical connection portions to make an initialconnection by pushing the launch connector into the receiving connectorfor providing a gross alignment of the optical connection portions;continue pushing the launch connector into the receiving connector untilthe utilizing convex tapered surfaces of the male ferrule and taperedconcave surfaces of the female ferrule to make a finer alignment of theoptical connection portions; continue pushing the launch connector intothe cylindrical connection of the optical connection portions until thelaunch connector is fully seated and cylindrical surfaces of the maleferrule are engaged with cylindrical surfaces of the female ferrule thusproviding a final alignment of the optical connection portions.